Unifor celebrates defeat of Harper Conservatives

TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2015 /CNW/ - Unifor is celebrating the defeat of the Harper Conservatives and calling on the Liberals and NDP to cooperate to rebuild Canada.

"Tonight's election results offer Canadians an opportunity to rebuild our country," said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. "Canadians have sent a clear message that the Harper Conservative agenda is not one that represents our interests and needs."

"The Liberals have indicated they want to transform the country and Parliament. Now they can. The new government must bring a new spirit of collaboration to Ottawa and will work with the NDP so Canadians can benefit from the best ideas, which are often born of cooperation," said Dias.

Thousands of Unifor members across Canada were engaged in the federal election, participating in workplace canvasses, volunteering on local campaigns and bringing attention to important local issues.

A year ago, Unifor members democratically decided to make the defeat of the Harper Conservatives the union's priority in this election, pointing to the Harper Conservatives' failure to protect and create good jobs, failure to support investment and growth in our economy and failure to protect our healthcare system and unprecedented attack on workers' rights.

"Unifor commit ted to change the politics of this country so that we can all thrive," said Dias. "Tonight's results are an important victory along that road. We will be working with the Liberals and the NDP to ensure we get this country back on track, with a strong economy, good jobs, a robust healthcare system and vital communities."

The Liberals have promised to be a champion for the middle-class, to prioritize job creation, to improve the Employment Insurance plan and to protect the social programs that are the foundation of Canadian society. They have committed to improve the Canadian Pension Plan and protect our national healthcare system. "Unifor will ensure the Liberals are held to account for these commitments – which are crucial first steps to creating the change Canadians have indicated they want," said Dias.

Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing more than 310,000 workers. It was formed Labour Day weekend 2013 when the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union merged.